President Julius Maada Bio calls for West African dialogue in Geneva

Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio has arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in the inaugural Geneva Peace Forum and deliver a keynote lecture at the Geneva Graduate Institute.

During his keynote address at the forum, themed ‘Choose Peace’, President Bio called on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to maintain diplomatic dialogue with their West African neighbors. He emphasized that regional strength and safety depend on continued communication despite political differences.

The appeal follows the January 2025 withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and their subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Drawing on his experience as former Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bio stated that lasting peace must be ‘owned by the region, supported by the world, and built on mutual respect.’ He further urged the international community to prioritize conflict prevention over reactive intervention.